Shane McElrath will part ways with Quad Lock Honda following the conclusion of the 2026 AMA Pro Motocross Championship, the team announced on August 20. Officials said McElrath will complete the full 2026 season before leaving, ending a tenure that included 40 AMA starts and a 2025 Foxborough Supercross runner-up finish.
The announcement on August 20, 2026, confirmed that McElrath will finish the entire 2026 AMA Pro Motocross Championship season with Quad Lock Honda before departing. Officials described the split as occurring “following the 2026 Pro Motocross season,” emphasizing that McElrath will fulfill his current racing commitments. As of the announcement, McElrath was ranked 22nd in the playoff seeding, positioning him as a potential wild card entrant if he competes in the postseason under the existing SuperMotocross (SMX) format, according to Motocross.com.
McElrath’s tenure with Quad Lock Honda includes 40 AMA starts, during which he achieved a career-best second-place finish at the 2025 Foxborough Supercross.
The team’s records also highlight his first-ever 450SX podium and heat race victory in muddy conditions at that event, marking the first time since 2021 that a privateer rider reached a 450 podium on a Honda with this organization. Additionally, McElrath secured the World Supercross SX2 championship and the Australian Supercross SX2 title while riding for the Yarrive Konsky–run Honda program, which was later rebranded as Quad Lock Honda, sources confirmed.
McElrath initially joined the team for World Supercross and Australian Supercross competition, signing what he described in a 2025 interview as a two-year deal with hopes of a longer-term arrangement. The contract was finalized ahead of the 2025 AMA Supercross season, with McElrath making his premier class debut on a CRF450R at Anaheim 1, according to MotoOnline. Quad Lock Honda expanded its 450SX program in 2025 to include McElrath alongside Joey Savatgy, positioning him as a key rider in their full-time SMX assault. Late-2025 reports indicated that both riders were expected to continue with the team into 2026.
During the 2026 season, McElrath has competed in World Supercross alongside teammates Justin Bogle and Hector Assunção, as confirmed in a June 2026 press release. Although originally slated to return in the SX2 class, he was absent from the final World Supercross SX2 roster, according to an August 2026 preview. That same preview noted speculation that McElrath might switch teams as early as the final three Pro Motocross rounds, possibly joining Beta. This speculation was confirmed by the team’s August 20 announcement that he would leave Quad Lock Honda after the season.
The team’s statement framed the parting as a natural conclusion to the current contract cycle rather than an immediate midseason change. Motocross.com’s coverage highlighted McElrath as one of Quad Lock Honda’s successful 450-class privateers, citing his podium finishes and championship titles during his time with the team. The organization’s Facebook post underscored these achievements, listing his 40 AMA starts, Foxborough 2025 podium, and SX2 titles in World Supercross and Australian Supercross as key highlights.
McElrath’s 2025 Foxborough Supercross performance included not only his career-best second place in the main event but also his first 450 heat race win, achieved in heavy mud. These results contributed to his reputation as a competitive privateer and a reliable rider for Quad Lock Honda’s expanded SMX program. Media reports from 2025 and 2026 noted that the team had helped McElrath rediscover success across multiple series, including WSX, AUSX, and 450SMX, solidifying his role as a premier-class rider.
Prior to the 2026 season, McElrath described his deal with Quad Lock Honda as “ultimately a two-year deal” with the hope of a longer-term commitment. Late-2025 reporting suggested a potential three-rider 450SMX lineup for 2026, including Christian Craig, Joey Savatgy, and McElrath. However, the August 2026 announcement confirmed that McElrath’s association with Quad Lock Honda will end after the 2026 Pro Motocross campaign. Sources indicate that his future plans may involve joining Beta, at least for the final Pro Motocross rounds and possibly beyond.
At the time of the announcement, McElrath’s postseason participation remained contingent on team or equipment arrangements, as his current seeding qualified him as a wild card entrant. Coverage of the “silly season” in World Supercross framed his departure as part of a broader team restructuring within the SX2 class and ongoing rider movement. Further details on McElrath’s next contract or team affiliation had not been formally announced as of late August 2026.
